The Electric Power Corporation on Monday announced a $0.09 sene increase in the price of electricity effective from March 1. The EPC said the increase applies to all domestic and non-domestic users for cash power and induction meter users. Reporter Soli Wilson meets members of the public to get their views on the increase.

“Remittances is Samoa’s largest form of foreign exchange earner with the 2017/18 financial year recording about $503.73 million tala in earnings. This shows the extent of the contribution by Samoans living abroad to the development of the nation. What do you think? Talaia Mika discussed the issue with members of the public and these are some of their views:

The Government’s decision to sack the Nofoali’i village mayor over his comments against the Government’s land law reforms has raised a rather interesting question. Can the Government sack village mayors who are appointed by the villages? What’s more, where does this leave Government employees when it comes to the question of freedom and rights? Talaia Mika and Misiona Simo discussed the issue with members of the public and these are their views:

“The recent arrest and charging of King Faipopo – when he flew into Samoa for his mother’s funeral – has triggered a lot of public debate. Our reporter Soli Wilson meets members of the public to get their views on the issue.

The Government’s reforms, which recently lead to legislative changes and the creation of a new seat in the Parliament after the 2021 General Election, has become a talking point amongst members of the public. Reporter Talaia Mika and photographer Misiona Simo meet members of the public to get their views on the issue.

“The flying of Chinese flags at the site of various projects it is funding has become controversial after it was raised by Member of Parliament, Olo Fonoti Vaai. The Government defended China and the flying of its flags at project sites. Our reporter Yolanda Lavatai and photographer Misiona Simo talk to members of the public to hear their views.

The Government has in the last two weeks been commissioning hydro power plants on both Upolu and Savai’i as it continues the push to become 100 percent reliant on renewable energy by 2025. Our reporter Yolanda Lavatai went and met members of the public to get their views on the issue.

The issue of the minimum wage is back on the agenda. While most people agree that $2.30 an hour is not enough, the Government says the decision to increase is totally dependent on the private sector and whether they can afford it. What do you think? And if there were an increase, why? Soli Wilson asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

An Associate Minister, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has called for tougher penalties for anyone charged and found guilty of first-degree murder. His comments follow the sentencing of Simanu’a Manuele of Falefa and Toamua — who pleaded guilty to two charges of murder — and was given a life imprisonment sentence by the Supreme Court. Leala said in many cases, murder convicts are placed on parole after ten years. This is not fair considering the seriousness of the offending. What do you think? Yumi Epati Tala’ave and Misiona Simo asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

The heavy downpours of late have damaged a lot of road infrastructure in Samoa. Motorists in most parts of the country are having to navigate the multiple potholes and some of the more challenging road conditions that exist. This is not the first time this has happened in Samoa though. Bad roads at this time of the year is a common occurrence. What do you think the Government should do to improve our roads? Reporter Yumi Epati Tala’ave asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has not backed down from his “fake news” claims in recent days against Government critics and those raising concerns about customary lands alienation. Reporter Yolanda Lavatai and photographer Talaia Mika meet members of the public to get their views.

“ The mysterious death of chickens at Safa’atoa, Lefaga led to an investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Ministry has now confirmed that the chickens were infected with the contagious disease Fowl Cholera, leading to their demise. Reporter Yolanda Lavatai and Misiona Simo spoke to members of the public to get their views on the issue.

The New Year comes with many new year resolutions. Reporters Talaia Mika and Yolanda Lavatai took to the streets of Apia yesterday to find out what people have as their resolutions for 2019. This is what the people said:

Lupesoliai Joseph Parker’s third round knockout of American-Mexican heavyweight boxer Alexander Flores last Saturday night in Christchurch, New Zealand got him back into the winner’s circle. Our reporter Soli Wilson talks to members of the public on what they thought of the victory.

Samoa joined the international community last Saturday December 1 to mark the 2018 World AIDS Day with a parade, a float and speeches by dignitaries including Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i met members of the public to get their views on the deadly disease and what should be done.

“The controversy behind the Government’s decision to tax church ministers has been a topical issue this year. Recently,
Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, confirmed that eight church ministers of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) have been charged for not filing their tax returns and more will be charged in the coming weeks. Reporter Soli Wilson talks to members of the public to get their views on the issue.

Manu Samoa finally got a win in their Northern Hemisphere Tour early Sunday morning, when they came out 28-10 victors over Spain. Our Reporter Yolanda Lavata’i talks to members of the public to get their views on the victory and what head Coach Steve Jackson should focus on in the lead-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Today marks exactly 20 years since Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi was sworn in as Samoa’s sixth Prime Minister when his predecessor Tofilau Eti Alesana stood down due to ill health. Our reporter Soli Wilson talked to members of the public yesterday to get their views on the performance of the P.M. to date.

“ Manu Samoa recently suffered another loss in their Northern Hemisphere Tour, this time at the hands of Georgia. A week earlier Samoa’s national rugby team lost to America. The two losses have triggered public debate. Our reporter Soli Wilson recently went out and got the views of the public, on what the Manu Samoa Coach should do, to get the team back to winning their games.

Two days ago the Ministry of Police advised the public, in a post on their Facebook page, of two 15-year-old girls who had gone missing.
The missing girls Viola Suliveta and Tapaau Panapa – who are both 15 years of age and attend Vaimauga College – were last seen in class last Wednesday and were yet to return home when the Police made the appeal.

Think a minute…Not long ago in America an exciting championship basketball game was played between New Rochelle and Yonkers High Schools. The New Rochelle team’s coach was Dan O’Brien. Yonkers was leading by one point with only a few seconds left to play.